Asking my friend out. Should I?

[NazDun]

So, like the title says, I'm in a "Should I or shouldn't I" situation.

In the last month or so I've begun to see one of my friends in a slightly different light. We've been friends for some years now, so this is a very personally delicate matter. I'm just really really torn on whether or not it would be a good idea.

First of all, though, I think a little background information will help.

Probably one of my main problems is that I'm a very analytical person , I think about things a lot before acting on them, in a lot of cases to my dismay. I'm also a very socially reserved person, and am definitely not one to initiate things. I'm very into Psychology and knowing how things work (and I'd probably get into all that, but I think that would be counter productive), so there's a lot of psychological factors that I think might be playing a role in how I feel right now.

I just got out of a two year relationship a couple months ago. She also just got out of a pretty long relationship. Now, knowing the kind of person she is I'm a little afraid that it might be still too early for her to be engaging in a new relationship. But as for me, I'm a very physical person and I get pretty lonely quite quickly when I'm not in a relationship (at least when I don't have anyone that I can be physically close with).

So the core of my dilemma is that I want to start another relationship but I absolutely do not want to wreck our friendship because that alone means so much to me.

So my question is. Do I ask my friend out and possibly risk an amazing friendship, or do I wait until there is someone else (which could be a very long time).

[Xero]

I would say ask her out, but just do it delicately.

I would say "I really like you would you like to go out with me?" make sure its the right time to ask that type of a question.

If you have a better line or idea go right ahead and do what you want.

[Confuzzled?!]

1. I'm a little worried that you're more into having a relationship than you are with having a relationship with her. Some people have a higher need for physical closeness than others (like myself), but you shouldn't date someone just to fulfill that. If her friendship means a lot to you and you think that it wouldn't be the best idea to try to take things to the next level with her, then don't.

2. On the other hand, if you're worried that she might not be over her ex, just talk to her about. It should be okay to just ask her about something like that if the two of you are good friends.

If you still have the green light after you've considered 1 and executed 2, then I say go for it. Just start of a bit slow. Do more date-like things together with just the two of you if you don't already, and flirt a bit if you don't already. Then when you see an opportunity, ask her if she would like to be more.

(As for your friendship worries, I think that if she's truly your friend, she'll stay that. In my experience, when a romantic relationship with someone who was a close friend first ends, or when romantic feelings are confessed and unrequited, but both people are mature and care about each other, then there needs to be a break at some point for healing but it doesn't have to ruin the friendship. Some people firmly believe that you cant be friends with exes, but I have to disagree if you were friends prior to dating.)

I hope I was helpful and please let me know how it goes!